America's Foremost Business Fraternity

Trials: Executive or Chapter?

March 6, 2012

A collegiate member affiliated with your chapter may only be charged using one of two trial methods (Chapter Trial or Executive Trial) for a given set of charges and specifics, except where an Executive Trial is appealed to the chapter. It is up to the chapter’s Executive Committee as to which format is used.

Executive Trials are meant to reduce the amount of Chapter Trials the entire chapter has to conduct. Since these trials are conducted by a small number of members in the chapter, the charges that can be preferred for an Executive Trial are limited. The charges are based on the records of the Vice President-Finance and Vice President-Chapter Operations.

An Executive Trial is conducted by pre-determined chapter executive officers (usually the President, VP-Finance and VP-Chapter Operation) and can only be used for the following offenses:

Delinquency for any sum of money past due or failing to discharge financial obligations to the chapter with which affiliated or this Fraternity

Non-participation in chapter events or meetings

Outcomes of Executive Trials may be appealed to the chapter, which then conducts a Chapter Trial.

Chapter Trials are meant to be used for severe offenses committed by members, smaller chapters, or for members to appeal Executive Trial decisions. A Chapter Trial is conducted by the entire chapter and can be used for the following offenses (See Bylaws Article XIII. Section 1):

Violating the oath of allegiance to Delta Sigma Pi or breaking the Laws of this Fraternity or any chapter with which the member is affiliated

Delinquency for any sum of money past due or failing to discharge financial obligations to the chapter with which affiliated or this Fraternity

Non-participation in chapter events or meetings

For both Executive Trials and Chapter Trials, both guilt and penalty must be voted on for each accused member and any of the penalties outlined in the National Bylaws (fine, reprimand, probation, suspension, or expulsion) may be assessed.